Storm surges forecast (SCHISM)#
The so-called storm surge phenomenon produces an anomalous rise in water level, with subsequent flooding of coastal areas and/or the increase of potential coastal erosion related to wind waves. The storm surge phenomenon is typically associated with the passage of low-pressure weather system. Different processes can be involved in altering the water level, among them the direct effect of wind, the atmospheric pressure effect as well as nearshore wave processes. Other secondary processes such as tidal and surge interactions can modulate the final impact of the storm surge. All these phenomena are included in the model selected for the storm surge forecast.
The circulation model SCHISM (Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model) will be applied to estimate storm surge levels along the European coast. The model is a derivative product built from the original SELFE code (v3.1dc; Zhang and Baptista 2008), with many enhancements and upgrades including new extension to large-scale eddying regime and a seamless cross-scale capability from creek to ocean (Zhang et al. 2016). It will be two-way coupled with the spectral wave model WWM III (Wind Wave Model III). In that way, the storm surge will be estimated accounting for the combined effect of, wind, atmospheric pressure gradients, tides and nearshore wave processes. The code is characterized by the use of an unstructured mixed triangular/quadrangular grid in the horizontal dimension and a semi-implicit time stepping. These characteristics enhance the numerical efficiency allowing the simulation of the storm surge phenomenon with adequate resolution for coastal areas.
Available information#
The following variables are available on the platform:
Surface level, in m.
Storm surge level, in m.
Temporal resolution#
Both variables have a temporal resolution of 1h during an horizon of 2 days.
Update frequency#
The forecast will be updated once a day.
Visualization#
Data sources#
References#
Zhang, Y. and Baptista, A.M., 2008: SELFE: A semi-implicit Eulerian-Lagrangian finite- element model for cross-scale ocean circulation”, Ocean Modelling, 21(3-4), 71-96.
Zhang, Y., Ye, F., Stanev, E.V., Grashorn, S., 2016: Seamless cross-scale modeling with SCHISM, Ocean Modelling, 102, 64-81.